Chapter 25
25
Prompted by the chat she’d had with Maggie Crowther about animal sponsorship, Jade had decided to set up her own scheme. Dawn said she’d take photographs of their most photogenic animals, while Jade wrote a piece about each one. The idea was that prospective sponsors paid an annual fee and received an adoption pack, which included a photograph and information about their chosen animal.
When Finn saw their photographs, he offered to do some sketches.
‘It would be a bit different, don’t you think? Might help to drum up business.’
‘All right, but you must let me pay you for doing them. You work enough hours already.’
‘Don’t be daft, Jade, I enjoy it. It’s a pity Ben doesn’t come over so much these days. He could help. How’s he getting on with his painting?’
‘Great,’ Jade muttered, aware of his curious gaze and feeling heat in her face. ‘But they’ve got masses on at the moment, what with organising their wedding. ’
‘I’m sure they have.’ Finn’s voice was ultra-casual and, anxious to get off the subject of Ben, Jade said, ‘How’s your dad now? Is he over his flu bug yet? Did he say when he wants to come down?’
‘He’s still coughing. But he sounds a lot better than he was. I spoke to him last night. If it’s still OK with you, he’ll probably come for a week in May.’
‘Yes, that’ll be great.’ Jade’s mobile rang and she made her escape. The caller turned out to be Sarah, wanting to know if she fancied a drink at the Red Lion that night to discuss wedding plans.
‘Of course, I’d love to come. Will it just be the two of us?’
‘Yes, Callum’s babysitting, and we haven’t had a girlie night for ages, have we?’
‘No,’ Jade said pointedly, but if Sarah heard the irony in her voice she didn’t comment.
As she got ready to go out that night, she decided to make a supreme effort to keep the talk on weddings.
Sarah was already there when she arrived, sitting at a table with two large glasses of wine and a pile of glossy wedding magazines in front of her.
She waved as Jade came in and Jade flew across to hug her and then sat opposite.
‘So how’s it all going? I haven’t seen much of you lately.’ She glanced at the pretty diamond ring on Sarah’s finger – Sarah had at least popped in briefly to show her that – and tried to keep her voice neutral. It was like treading on eggshells talking to Sarah these days.
‘We’re getting there. We’ve booked the registry office for next April, third weekend. I know it’s ages away but put it in your diary. After, we’ll go down to the Red Lion for pie and mash. There’ll just be a few friends, Callum’s family, and my parents, we don’t want a big fuss.’ She paused. ‘Although that’s one of the good things that’s happened lately. I’m on speaking terms with my parents again. I took Ben to see them this week. He’s thrilled at the idea of Callum being his dad. He’s thrilled at the idea he’s got some new grandparents too.’ Her eyes willed Jade not to say he might have another set, so she didn’t.
‘That’s brilliant news.’
‘Isn’t it?’ Sarah flushed and changed the subject. ‘Dawn said she’ll do the photographs for us. I was wondering if you fancied coming to help me choose a dress some time? There’s no rush – I’ll probably get it a bit closer to the date.’
She looked so happy that Jade felt herself softening; how could she not be happy for her?
‘I’d love to. You know I would.’ She caught Sarah’s hand across the table. ‘I’m so pleased for you. Callum’s lovely, isn’t he?’
‘I know.’ Sarah’s smile was radiant, and there was a little pause and Jade let go of Sarah’s fingers and wished things were different. Wished that Ben’s father were some unknown stranger, far away from here, and not someone she cared about so much. And she did care. It was rapidly becoming pointless to try to deny it – even to herself. She dropped her gaze, but Sarah didn’t miss the look.
‘Please don’t be angry with me, Jade. I am going to tell Finn. But just not yet.’
‘I’m not angry, just worried. I don’t want all this to backfire on you.’
‘How can it?’ Sarah pursed her lips. ‘You’re the only other person in the world who knows the truth about Ben’s father.’
‘Yes,’ Jade murmured, wondering whether she should tell Sarah how she felt about Finn. Not that she was 100 per cent sure herself. She seemed to go through the whole range of emotions when he was around. Lust, fear, warmth, tenderness, guilt. Guilt had been the main one lately. But then she’d always been plagued with that. It was part of her genetic make-up, she sometimes thought.
She sipped her wine and changed the subject to safer territory. ‘Aiden asked me out again last week.’
‘What did you say?’
‘No, of course. He didn’t take it very well. I felt really guilty.’ She paused, deciding it would probably be better not to tell Sarah what else Aiden had said.
‘It’s him, isn’t it? Finn.’ He’d spat out the word as if he didn’t want it in his mouth. ‘I knew this would happen.’
She’d drawn back from him, alarmed by the pain on his face.
‘It’s got nothing to do with anyone else. Honestly, Aiden. I just don’t want a relationship. Not with you. Not with anyone.’
And though finally he’d seemed to accept it, she still felt uneasy. He was back to coming daily to socialise Fang. Fortunately, so far, Finn had kept out of his way.
‘Aiden will get over you sooner or later,’ Sarah murmured, taking a gulp of wine and not meeting Jade’s eyes. ‘It’s a shame you don’t fancy him, because…’
‘Then you’d be off the hook,’ Jade finished, regretting the words as soon as she’d said them.
‘No, I didn’t mean that. I just meant you deserve someone nice, and he is nice, isn’t he? I want you to be happy, Jade. I want you to feel what I’m feeling.’
There was an awkward little silence, which was broken by Mike striding over to their table, rubbing his hands together. ‘Evening, ladies. Is Finn coming in tonight by any chance? Only I’ve got some good news for him. I’ve just sold one of his paintings.’
They glanced up at his happy, bearded face.
‘Er, I’m not sure.’ Jade smiled back at him. ‘Which one? Stonehenge?’
‘No. It was the one of the little girl on the beach. To the woman in the twin set and pearls over there. Said it reminds her of her granddaughter.’
The woman, who was sitting on a bar stool, raised her glass to them.
‘She said she’d like to meet the artist. Could you give him a ring on his mobile, Jade?’
‘Of course.’ Jade glanced at Sarah.
‘My cue to go, I think.’ She stood up. ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got to get back anyway. I can’t drink any more, I’m driving. Thanks for tonight.’
‘Something I said?’ Mike asked, raising his eyebrows as Sarah hurried towards the door.
‘She’s got a lot to do, wedding things,’ Jade told him, glancing at her watch and deciding she’d have to wait for Finn. She couldn’t just phone him and disappear. He’d be hurt.
He arrived surprisingly promptly. He was wearing his smartest jeans and was freshly shaven. He looked nervous, she saw with a little tug of tenderness. When he saw her, he headed across and pulled out a chair.
‘So is she still here then, this woman? Or are you going to tell me this is a wind-up?’
‘Of course it’s not a wind-up. You should have more faith in yourself. You’re really good.’
He reddened and Jade touched his arm. ‘I’m serious, Finn. She’s sitting at the bar. Go over and Mike will introduce you. ’
‘I’ll get you a drink.’
‘I’m up to my limit already.’
‘Oh, go on. You’re not driving and you can’t celebrate with me unless you’ve got a drink.’
‘She wanted me to write on the back of it for her,’ Finn said when he finally came back with their drinks. ‘I didn’t like to just rush off.’
‘Don’t worry. It gave me the chance to sober up. Congratulations. Is that your first sale?’
‘To a stranger, yes.’ His grey eyes were warm. ‘A few people back home have bought them, but I was never sure if they were just being nice.’
‘Here’s to many more,’ Jade said, and they clinked glasses. Then they chatted for a while longer about art until eventually Jade stood up. ‘I’d better get back. Are you staying?’
‘No, I’ll walk with you.’
It was relaxing walking back with the darkness settling around them and the odd nocturnal rustle in the hedgerows reminding them they weren’t the only living creatures out in the still night. The blackthorn was in flower, its sweetness scenting the air, and there was a new lemon sliver of a moon. Above their heads, thousands of stars speckled the clear sky.
‘Have you ever tried to count them?’ Finn asked, tilting back his head and standing still for a moment in the middle of the country road.
‘No.’ Jade looked at him, surprised.
‘Sometimes, if I can’t sleep, I count the ones I can see out of my skylight. Twenty-three’s the record so far. Might just beat it tonight.’
‘Do you often have problems sleeping?’
‘Not really. But I’ll definitely have problems tonight. You must think I’m mad, getting all excited over a painting.’
‘I don’t think that at all. But then maybe I’m not a very good person to judge the sanity of others – being a bit mad and idealistic myself.’
‘Ouch. And there was me thinking you’d forgotten that conversation.’
‘I don’t forget much, Mr McTaggart.’ She went across and stood next to him in the middle of the road. It must be the wine. Maybe she wasn’t as sober as she’d thought. Or maybe it was because tonight his face was unguarded and happy and his enthusiasm was infectious.
‘Your dad’s going to be pleased too, isn’t he?’
‘He’ll be surprised I’ve sold something. He’s always insisted there’s no money in painting. But yes, I think he’ll be pleased.’
Impulsively, she caught hold of his hands. ‘You’ve got artists’ fingers,’ she said, lifting them up and studying them. ‘Do you get those from your dad?’
‘I’m not sure. I’ll have to check.’ There was a moment’s silence, as if each of them had suddenly become aware they were holding hands. And in the silence Jade realised her heart was thumping very quickly. She dared not look at him for fear he’d read her expression and guess she could have stood here all night, just holding hands with him, it felt so right.
Shocked at the strength of her feelings, and still without looking at him, she said, ‘So what’s the plan, then – with your dad, I mean?’ Because suddenly words were ambiguous.
‘He’s a lot better. I said I’d phone him tomorrow to firm up dates. He’ll come down by coach. We’d better get going; we’ll get run over, standing in the middle of the road.’
He withdrew his fingers gently from hers.